Bogle memorial gets large turnout in Georgia

The heart of Tanya Levy, the widow of Gerald 'Bogle' Levy, is full following last Friday's memorial for the dancehall icon, which she along with other dancehall acts hosted in the US state of Georgia.

It has been five years since Levy hosted the memorial which she said is a staple event at this time of the year.

"The memorial was held in Bronx, New York, at first, then our family relocated to Georgia six years ago and continued the tradition. But we had taken a break from having the event public. I was overwhelmed by the support it received; it was a good turnout because about 300 persons attended which included members of the dancehall community," she said.

The event was held at the Pisces Club in Decatur. Recording artistes like Delly Ranx, Mumzel and Dovey Magnum were among the guests, while video tributes from Ravers Clavers leadman and deejay Ding Dong and dancers Boysie and Marvin Di Beast were part of the proceedings.

His name lives on

Levy said "The dancehall community, especially the dancers, have made sure his name lives on. I love that the dancers they never forget to speak of Bogle's contribution to the culture."

January 20 marked 16 years since the famed dancer was murdered. She said that the incident, which took her first boyfriend and life partner, "made my whole world shut down".

She said it took years of counselling and the help of her daughter Geralya 'Platinum' Levy, 21, who is presently in college studying for a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice, and Bogle's older children Narda and Gerald Jr.

"Even now, when I travel to Jamaica it doesn't feel the same but it was worse back then because Platinum would tell people not to play certain songs because it would tear me apart to hear them play. Platinum is making sure she studies hard and that is inspired by her father," she said. "Oh Lord, being involved with an entertainer had its challenges but one thing I can say about Bogle is that he always portrayed a level of respect for me that no one could confront me. He should always be held in high regard for that, along with his slangs. He was a man of many slangs and fashion - only he can pull of mixing colours and patterns."

Levy said Bogle is an icon who opened doors for people to travel and get paid for dancing," she said. DellyRanx hailed Bogle as one of the biggest inspirations in his career.

"The passing of Bogle hurt me deeply. He is the one that influenced me to record Pelpa in 1997 and I couldn't make the memorial miss me. I had to be there to give him the respect I give him while he was still alive and to see the support the event got means he is more than deserving to be called a legend," Delly Ranx said.